UK GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE TO PROTECT WHALES, SAYS MARTIN

4.06.00pm GMT Fri 30th Nov 2007

Martin receiving his certificate of adoption from IFAW

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood this week adopted a humpback whale to show his opposition to Japanese whaling.

Martin accepted an invitation from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), to adopt humpback whale Hodda to demonstrate his support for IFAW's efforts to protect this vulnerable species, now being targeted by Japan's whaling fleet in an internationally recognised whale sanctuary.

Commenting Martin said:

"Whaling is an inherently cruel practice. There is a great deal of evidence collected by IFAW and other organisations demonstrating that there is no humane way to kill a whale. The practices that are used mean that the whale is subjected to a very slow and agonizing death.

"That is why I am happy to support IFAW's campaign by adopting a humpback whale. We need to do more to raise this issue with our government, so that they take diplomatic action at the highest levels to protect whales like Hodda."